BENEFITS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

(Psalm 103:2)

Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting your troubles. - Maltbie D. Babcock

Beth and I went out for a little dinner the other night and as she was praying she began to just list “some BENEFITS”. 

It was a cold and dreary night so she thanked GOD for our shelter.  Then for our food.  Then for our financial opportunities to have both, our healthy kids, and then most important of all for GOD’s accessibility; His nearness.  Because in recent weeks with friend’s children undergoing life changing surgeries, the anniversaries of lost loved ones, the general unrest in our surroundings and society, that “nearness”, knowing that He is listening and responding (1John 5:14-15), is truly a much-welcomed benefit.

The truth is, GRATITUDE for the benefits of GOD does more than just comfort us or bring us peace, it is the conduit into His presence! 

The moment we become grateful, we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. - Francis Frangipane

So, it is of great “BENEFIT” to…

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing... Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:2, 4-5).

So, the LORD is sending a CLEAR message!

Don’t forget His benefits! 

Ask yourself. Have you?

What about:

Forgiveness of sin, physical energy, spiritual stamina, relational fulfillment, vocational purpose, the opportunity to serve and a free country are just a few.

And let’s not forget the benefit package for followers of Jesus has a bunch of “life provisions”: fruitful life, abundant life, meaningful life, purpose-filled life, and eternal life.

Are you losing count?

Are you re-energized?

I hope so!

This benefits package really is the best!

“The whole world is a theater for the display of the divine goodness, wisdom, justice, and power; intimate communications of THE LORD'S benefits and we are called to attentively consider all of them! (adapted from John Calvin)

I love you all…

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE